Snake Attack! Ford Teases 700+HP 2019 Shelby GT500

If you thought yesterday’s big Ford reveals were all the company had up its sleeve, think again. Ripping a page from the Steve Jobs playbook, Ford had “one more thing” to show the world. On the heels of a series of significant leaks, Ford has finally confirmed that the next-generation Shelby GT500 is on the way, but it’s not here just yet. During a dinner at the North American International Auto Show, the company revealed a video presentation that teases what’s to come — and part of that is over 700 horsepower.

“Loaded with the most venom ever, the all-new Mustang Shelby GT500 with its 700-plus horsepower supercharged V8 will be the most powerful street-legal production Ford ever,” says Ford. “Embodying Ford Performance team’s motorsport expertise, this new Mustang is engineered to stand apart on roadways and race tracks, thanks to its new innovative track technologies, performance hardware, plus aggressive and functional track-tuned styling.”

So far we only officially know three things: the horsepower, that it is the most powerful street-legal Mustang yet, and that it will be a 2019 model year vehicle, though when in 2019 it will be released is unclear. However, recent photos confirmed that a 5.2-liter engine topped by a supercharger would power the next-gen GT500, but we now know that combination will produce at least 38 more horsepower than its predecessor, which should easily push it to over 200 mph. Put your slide rules to work and its a safe bet that with some drag radials out back this car could be a 9-second Demon hunter.

While there’s no official word on when the next Shelby GT500 will hit the streets, we have a feeling that it might be late next year, so you have plenty of time to sell cars, kidneys, and whatever else you can to generate a down payment for what should be the most impressive performance Mustang to date.